Method of making lead articles



March 1945- 1 F. REMINGTON EI'AL 2,372,011

METHOD OF MAKING LEAD ARTICLES Filed Oct. 16, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I NVENTOEa .30 4- 25 a? l T ToRNEYS Patented Mar. 20, 1945 METHOD or MAKING LEAD ARTICLES Frederic Remington, Elizabeth, and Richard A.

Tartaglia, East Orange, N. J., assignors to Peerless Tube Company, Bloomfield, N. 1., a corporation of New Jersey Application October 16, 1941, Serlal No. 415,232

3 Claims.

This invention relates to a method of making a lead article.

The article may, for convenience, be termed a sleeve. It is intended primarily for use in a storage battery, such as an automobile battery. It comprises a short tube having an outwardly extending top flange and an internal thread. Further details are described hereinafter.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a method producing an article of the type described in an economical and practicable manner. Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the description that follows.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the article and various steps in its production and show: also, apparatus suitable for carrying out the various steps.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view partly in vertical section and partly in elevation of an extrusion press;

Figure 2 is a similar view showing a different position of the parts;

Figure 3 is a view partly in vertical section and partly in elevation of a knock-out mechanism:

Figure 4 is a. sectional view (enlarged) taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 11;

Figure 5 is a similar view showing a different position or the parts:

Figure 6 is a sectional view (enlarged) taken on the line li6 of Figure 11;

Figure 7 is a detail view showing parts of Figure 6 in a difierent position;

Figures 8 and 9 are sectional views (enlarged) taken on the lines 88 and 9il, respectively, of Figure 11;

Figure 10 is a sectional view (reduced) taken on the line Ill-i0 of Figure 6; V

Figure 11 is a plan view of a rotary table for presenting blanks to the various finishing mechanisms; and

Figure 12 is a top plan view of the completed article.

Referring to the drawings, the tubular sleeve itself is illustrated in Figures 9 and 12. It is made of lead and comprises a main tubular portion l3. At the upper end is a relatively short portion, I4 having a thicker wall and a smaller bore than the main tube I3, the two portions being separated by an internal shoulder I5. This thicker portion I4 has an internal thread l6 terminating, at the top, in a beveled mouth II. The upper end of the sleeve has an outwardly extending flange I8. The underside of flange I8 is channeled or grooved at I! to form a peripheral downwardly extending shoulder 20. Extending out from the side edge of flange II. at diametrically located points, are two lugs 2| (Figure 12).

It is deemed unnecessary, for present purposes, to describe the function of the various details of the sleeve's construction inasmuch as the described article, as such, is an article of commerce. Sufllce it to say that the tubular portion it, when the article is assembled in a battery box cover, serves as a conduit in supplying the battery with water and the thread It is designed to receive the threaded stem of a battery closure cap or plug.

While the manufacturing steps hereinafter described may be carried out in various ways and at various stages, the apparatus here illustrated as an example consists of two separate pieces of apparatus, namely, an extrusion press and a finishing machine.

In carrying out the method of the present invention, a blank is formed from a lead slug by extrusion. Such blank, except for threading and other finishing operations hereinafter described, accords with the article above described.

While this extrusion step may be carried out in any desired manner, Figures 1 and 2 illustrate an extrusion press suitable for the purpose. Except ior certain features of the die and plunger, hereinafter referred to, the showing of the press is more or less conventional.

The press here illustrated as an example comprises a die 23 secured in a die block 24 by bolts 25. This die has a cylindrical die chamber 26 of a diameter to correspond to the outer diameter of the blank to be produced. The die chamber 26 is closed at its lower end, during extrusion, by a die plunger 21 having vertical movement toward and away from the die. This die plunger- 29, at diametrically opposite points, are spaces 3| to correspond with the lugs to be formed on the flange of the blank.

Cooperating with the die' and die chamber is an extrusion plunger 34 having a diameter to accord with the inner diameter of the blank to be produced. At the lower or advance end of plunger is a short tip 35 of reduced diameter. The

diameter of tip 8' is substantially the same as the top diameter of boss II.

The extrusion plunger 84 being raised and die plunger 21 being in the position oi Figure l, a round lead slug 3. is inserted in die chamber II. The diameter of the slug is such that the slug has a close but not tight flt in the die chamber. The thickness of the slug is such as to give a total metal content that will produce the blank desired.

The plunger 34 is then advanced into the die chamber and against the slug under suitable pressure. This causes the metal of the slug to be upset. Part oi the metal flows into annular space II, its extension II and the diametrically located spaces II to iillthe same. Part die chamber II and plunger I4 to form the tubular portion the blank. This upward flow is limited by a shoulder 84a on the plunger.

Figure 2 shows the parts at the end of the extrusion operation, the extruded blank being illustrated more clearly in Figure 3. The flanged end 01' the blank is closed by a web of metal 38. The main tubular portion "a. which later becomes tube I3, terminates in an internal shoulder Ila. formed by the diflerence in diameter between the extrusion plunger 34 and its tip it. This ti has also formed a shallow space 3! beyond the shoulder, the diameter of this space being less than the internal diameter of the main tube Ila. This space 31 thus starts what is to become the thicker portion i4 of the finished blank. Boss 28 on die plunger 21 has .tormed a shallow, beveled depression 38 in :the outer end of the closed blank, thus starting what is .to become mouth ll.

cession of operating mechanisms. Although capable of various constructions, the apparatus here illustrated as an example comprises a rotary supporting table 42 (Figure 11). This table has a number of angularly spaced holes or sockets 43 for receiving the blanks, the blanks being suspended therein by their flanges. The blanks may be fed to table 42 in any suitable manner,

as by hand. Table 42 is given a step-by-step angular movement in any suitable manner, as by a Geneva drive (riot shown), to present the blanks to the several finishing mechanisms.

At the first operating station (Figures 4-5), the webs 38 are punched out. To this end, as here shown as an example, below the table is a punch 45 0! a diameter to pass closely into the space 31 of the blank. Above the table is a punching die 46 having a bore 41 dimensioned to receive punch 45. At the lower end of bore 41, the die has a beveled lip 48 which engages 'o! the metal iiows upwardly between the wall or of blanks by a step-by-ste movementto a sucthe beveled wall oi depression 3! of the blank (Figure 4).

A blank having reached this station and dur- 1 web II and beyond. This causes a circular disk asvaoii punch adds another disk and disks one stephigher in the convenient point (not shown), the advance disk, ateachstep,dropsouttobeoollectedasmay be desired.

This punching operation leaves a portion oi the blank corresponding to the thicker portion l4 0! the finished article. As later described, the internal thread is formed by metal upset. It follows that the bore of the blank left by the punching operation has a diameter greater than the ultimate thread crest diameter.

There is provided a thread-upsetting roller and means for advancing the roller against the internal wall of the thicker portion or the blank in such a manner as to cause the metal thereof to be upset into the form of. a thread. Although capable of various constructions, in that here shown as an example (Figures 6, 7 and 10), double upsetting rollers It, ii are ireeiy mounted on an oflset stud I! on a pin it. This pin is mounted in an eccentric socket I4 in the lower end 01! a spindle II, being locked therein by a set screw 48. To rotate spindle II, its upper end has an elongated pinion it meshing with a rack 51. Rack 51 slides in bearings 58 on a bracket 58 and is reciprocated by a connecting rod 60 operated in any suitable manner. A portion of spindle has a-thread Cl meshing with an internal thread 64 in a stationary bracket Ill. With the construction described, the spindle has a combined rotary and axial movement.

There is provided means for holding the blank against movement during the thread rolling operation. Although capable of various constructions, in that here shown as an example, a holddown ring 68 is carried-on the end of a lever pivoted in a bracket Ill. The outer end 01 the lever is acted on by a spring II which tends to iorce the hold-down ring 88 down against the top of the supported blank (Figure 6). This pressure serves to hold the blank against rotary or axial movement. To release the hold-down ring, a plunger 12, operated in any suitable manner, is moved against the lever to swing holdr down ring 88 upwardly away from the blank.

As a given blank approaches the thread-rollins station, spindle 55 is in elevated position and plunger I1 is moved down to elevate hold-down ring 68, to permit the blank to clear. As table 41 pauses, plunger 12 is withdrawn to permit spring II to move hold-downring 68 into holding position. Connecting rod ill is moved to rotate spindle which, through thread connections "-44, also advances axially. This movement, together with the eccentric mounting of rollers 50, Ii, causes the rollers to be advanced against the internal wall of the thicker portion of the blank to upset the metal thereoi into the form of a thread. The second roller 5| serves to true up the thread initially upset by roller ll.

Figure 6 shows the thread-upsetting mechanism at the point where roller 50 is about to engage the wall of the blank. Figure 7 shows the aarts at the completion of the threading opera- Connection rod I is now reversed to withdraw spindle BI upwardly to initial position. After rollers ll, 5| have cleared the blank, plunger I2 is advanced against lever 89 to swing holddown ring 68 away from the blank. This clears the blank as table 42 is again stepped ahead to carry. the blank to the next station.

By loosening set screw 49 and rotating pin 58 in socket 54, the depth of the thread formed may be adjusted within limits.

At the next station (Figure 8), a plunger it, operated in any suitable manner, presses the blank against supporting table 42 to coin the under edge of the blank flange. This completes the finishing operations.

At the next station (Figure 9), a knock-out plunger 16, operated in any suitable manner, ejects the article from the supporting table.

The steps above described result in the article shown in Figures 9 and 12, a completed article as far as the present invention is concerned. While the battery maker may see fit to perform additional operations that can be performed only during or after assembly, e. g. flanging the lower end of the tube to anchor the sleeve in the box cover, the article of Figures 9 and 12 is, as such, an article of commerce to be supplied to the battery maker.

The method of the present invention makes possible the production of an article of the type described in an economical manner. It avoids, for example, the necessity of cutting a thread which is a distinct advantage in that cutting a thread in lead usually results in excessive dull-- ing of the tools.

While the thread-rolling step must necessarily follow the punching out of the web, it is to be understood that the coining step need not follow the order above set forth.

What is claimed is:

l.- The method of producing an article having internal threading extending inwardly from one end thereof, which comprises extending a metal slug into a hollow member which has a tubular portion one end of which is open while the other end is closed by a web of metal and to form an internal shoulder in said member adjacent said web to produce a relatively shallow space of a diameter less than the internal diameter of the main tubular section of the hollow member and Patent no. 2,372,011.

simultaneously produce a relatively shallow beveled depression in the outer surface of said closed end, the root diameter of said depression being equal to the diameter of said shallow space, punching out a round disc of metal from said web of a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of said shallow space whereby the resulting open ended tube has a beveled mouth at one end thereof and a short tubular section leading inwardly from said mouth and of an internal di ameter less than the internal diameter of the main tubular section, and rolling an internal thread in said short tubular section of said hollow member.

2. The method of producing a tubular article having an internal thread extending inwardly from one end thereofwhich comprises extruding a metal slug to form a hollow member which has one end closed by a web of metal and simultaneousiy forming a depression having outwardly beveled side walls in the outer surface of said end of said hollow member, punching out said web to form an opening in said end of said hollow member having a beveled mouth, and thereafter rolling an internal thread into the walls of said member leading inwardly from said beveled mouth so that a screw threaded element can be screwed into said tubular article.

3. The method of producing an article having an internal thread extending inwardly from one end thereof which comprises extruding a metal slug into a hollow member which has atubular portion one end of which is closed by a web of metal and simultaneously forming a shallow depression having beveled walls in the outer surface of said end of said member, the root diameter of said depression being equal to the internal diameter of the end of said tubular portion adjacent said web, plmching out a round disc of metal from said web of a diameter equal to the diameter of said end of said tubular portion to form an opening in said end of said hollow member having a beveled mouth, and thereafter displacing the metal of the walls of said tubular portion to form an internal thread therein leading inwardly from said beveled mouth so that a screw threaded element can be screwed into said article,

March 20, 1915.

rascal-11c anumron, ET AL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 3, first column, line 145, for the word "extending" read -extruding-- and that the saidLett ers Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 19th day of June, n. 1915.

Leslie Frazer (Sea 1) Acting Commissioner 01 infants.

Connection rod I is now reversed to withdraw spindle BI upwardly to initial position. After rollers ll, 5| have cleared the blank, plunger I2 is advanced against lever 89 to swing holddown ring 68 away from the blank. This clears the blank as table 42 is again stepped ahead to carry. the blank to the next station.

By loosening set screw 49 and rotating pin 58 in socket 54, the depth of the thread formed may be adjusted within limits.

At the next station (Figure 8), a plunger it, operated in any suitable manner, presses the blank against supporting table 42 to coin the under edge of the blank flange. This completes the finishing operations.

At the next station (Figure 9), a knock-out plunger 16, operated in any suitable manner, ejects the article from the supporting table.

The steps above described result in the article shown in Figures 9 and 12, a completed article as far as the present invention is concerned. While the battery maker may see fit to perform additional operations that can be performed only during or after assembly, e. g. flanging the lower end of the tube to anchor the sleeve in the box cover, the article of Figures 9 and 12 is, as such, an article of commerce to be supplied to the battery maker.

The method of the present invention makes possible the production of an article of the type described in an economical manner. It avoids, for example, the necessity of cutting a thread which is a distinct advantage in that cutting a thread in lead usually results in excessive dull-- ing of the tools.

While the thread-rolling step must necessarily follow the punching out of the web, it is to be understood that the coining step need not follow the order above set forth.

What is claimed is:

l.- The method of producing an article having internal threading extending inwardly from one end thereof, which comprises extending a metal slug into a hollow member which has a tubular portion one end of which is open while the other end is closed by a web of metal and to form an internal shoulder in said member adjacent said web to produce a relatively shallow space of a diameter less than the internal diameter of the main tubular section of the hollow member and Patent no. 2,372,011.

simultaneously produce a relatively shallow beveled depression in the outer surface of said closed end, the root diameter of said depression being equal to the diameter of said shallow space, punching out a round disc of metal from said web of a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of said shallow space whereby the resulting open ended tube has a beveled mouth at one end thereof and a short tubular section leading inwardly from said mouth and of an internal di ameter less than the internal diameter of the main tubular section, and rolling an internal thread in said short tubular section of said hollow member.

2. The method of producing a tubular article having an internal thread extending inwardly from one end thereofwhich comprises extruding a metal slug to form a hollow member which has one end closed by a web of metal and simultaneousiy forming a depression having outwardly beveled side walls in the outer surface of said end of said hollow member, punching out said web to form an opening in said end of said hollow member having a beveled mouth, and thereafter rolling an internal thread into the walls of said member leading inwardly from said beveled mouth so that a screw threaded element can be screwed into said tubular article.

3. The method of producing an article having an internal thread extending inwardly from one end thereof which comprises extruding a metal slug into a hollow member which has atubular portion one end of which is closed by a web of metal and simultaneously forming a shallow depression having beveled walls in the outer surface of said end of said member, the root diameter of said depression being equal to the internal diameter of the end of said tubular portion adjacent said web, plmching out a round disc of metal from said web of a diameter equal to the diameter of said end of said tubular portion to form an opening in said end of said hollow member having a beveled mouth, and thereafter displacing the metal of the walls of said tubular portion to form an internal thread therein leading inwardly from said beveled mouth so that a screw threaded element can be screwed into said article,

March 20, 1915.

rascal-11c anumron, ET AL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 3, first column, line 145, for the word "extending" read -extruding-- and that the saidLett ers Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 19th day of June, n. 1915.

Leslie Frazer (Sea 1) Acting Commissioner 01 infants. 

